[ NATIONAL ]

Electronics, chemicals, machinery set for zero-duty access under India-UAE trade pact

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed Fri is the first comprehensive trade deal signed by India with a Gulf country & India’s first trade agreement in a decade.

India, France agree on Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance

ANI – India and France have agreed on a Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance to contribute to scientific knowledge and ocean conservation and ensure that the ocean remains a global common, based on the rule of law, during the 3-day visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s 3-day visit to France.

India warns nations against accepting China’s aid

Jaishankar brushed aside a suggestion that India’s ties with the West had improved because of the differences with China, saying India’s relations with the West were “quite decent” even before June 2020 – when Indian and Chinese forces were involved in a brutal clash that left 20 Indian troops and at least four Chinese soldiers dead.

India, Oman Air Forces prepare for Exercise Eastern Bridge VI to enhance interoperability

Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the joint bilateral Exercise Eastern Bridge VI with Royal Air Force Oman (RAFO). The Ex Eastern Bridge VI will enhance operational efficiency through interoperability and will learn best practices and operate together.

MHA to do thorough background check of newly appointed Turkish national Air India CEO Ilker Ayci

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will carry out a thorough background check of newly appointed Air India CEO and MD, Ilker Ayci, a national of Turkey, a country with which India’s relations have soured over its overt support to Kashmir separatists, media reports said citing sources. As reported, On Feb 15, Tata Group, which recently acquired the erstwhile national carrier, announced Ayci’s appointment. The Home Ministry “scrupulously” carries out the background check of all foreign nationals when they are appointed in the key positions of any Indian company, citing the sources said, PTI reported. Ayci is a Turkish national and was an advisor of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was also critical for the abrogation of Article 370, along with Pakistan. He helmed Turkish Airlines as its chairman from 2015 to 2022 and was credited with turning the airline around.

Two ITBP personnel injured in IED blast in poll-bound Manipur

ANI – Two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel sustained splinter injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Manipur on Sun, which escalated tension in the poll-bound state. The blast took place around 8 pm near Wangoo Tera police station range which is around 45 km from Manipur’s capital Imphal. The blast occurred when they were conducting an area domination patrol along with his colleagues and Manipur Police personnel, said the ITBP in a statement. It is learned that an NPP candidate’s father was shot at by unidentified people in poll-bound Manipur’s Imphal East district before the blast, which has left security agencies in a tizzy. Assembly elections in the northeastern state will be held in two phases on Feb 28 and Mar 5. The counting of votes in the state is scheduled on Mar 10.

India asks its citizens to leave Ukraine temporarily if stay is not ‘essential’

The Indian embassy in Ukraine issued a fresh advisory that says commercial and charter flights may be availed for timely departure given continued ‘high levels of uncertainties’. In a fresh advisory, the Indian embassy in Ukraine on Sun asked Indian nationals to leave the eastern European nation temporarily if their stay is not essential. The advisory came following rising tensions between the NATO countries and Russia over the Ukraine crisis. It said available commercial flights and charter flights may be availed for travel, for an “orderly and timely departure” from Ukraine.

‘Hindus for Human Rights Will Continue Lobbying US against India’s Treatment of Muslims’

In a forceful and passionate interview, where both her anger and anguish are visible, Sunita Viswanath, the executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, a US-based civil society organization, says that her organization will “certainly intensify and escalate” efforts to lobby the US Congress and Biden Administration to speak out against Hindutva and India’s treatment of minorities and Muslims in particular. In a 30-minute interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Sunita Viswanath explained why her organization played a lead role, alongside 16 other civil society organizations in the US, in lobbying the US Congress.

2 soldiers, LeT terrorist killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian

Kashmir zone IGP Vijay Kumar said terrorist Abdul Qayoom Dar of Larow Kakapora in Pulwama, about 30km south of Srinagar, was shot dead in retaliatory fire by the combined team of Army and J&K police during the nightly operation on Feb 18 and 19.

‘Weapons, night-vision devices’ left by the US in Afghanistan found at LoC, says senior Army officer

In a startling revelation, a senior Army officer, in charge of a formation along the Line of Control (LoC), has said in an interview to ThePrint that high-tech weapons and night-vision gadgets left behind by the US troops in Afghanistan have made their way into the hands of terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), who are trying to infiltrate into India (approx 100-130). Additionally, several Afghan-speaking men are reported to have reached PoK and hundreds of Afghan SIM cards are active in areas close to the LoC, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 19 Infantry Division, Major General Ajay Chandpuria told. According to him, it is also suspected that the coming summer could see attempts by terrorists who have fought in Afghanistan, to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. He added that there were more than 600,000 modern small arms left behind and several hundred thousand pieces of night-vision equipment.

‘Y’ category security to Kumar Vishwas

The Centre on Saturday decided to give ‘Y’ category security to a former leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Kumar Vishwas, official sources said. The central govt had reviewed the security of Vishwas and the threat perception based on intelligence inputs in the wake of his allegations against AAP convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Vishwas had accused Kejriwal of supporting separatists during the high-voltage campaign for the assembly elections in Punjab, but the AAP chief has dismissed the allegations.

Section 144 in Shivamogga after Bajrang Dal activist’s murder, Karnataka HM denies hijab row angle

Section 144 has been imposed in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district after the murder of a 23-year-old Bajrang Dal activist on Sun night. State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra dismissed speculation of the murder being related to the hijab row but said an investigation will soon reveal the motive. Karnataka minister Eshwarappa on Mon alleged that Muslim goons were involved in the murdered activist. He said Congress leader DK Shivakumar’s statement on the national flag had instigated the murder while accusing him of “provocating the Muslim goons.”

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Nepal government presented in Parliament to approve the MCC project agreement, the opposition created a ruckus

The Nepal government presented the agreement related to the MCC project in the Parliament for approval. There are continuous protests in Nepal regarding this matter. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said that the country’s development parliament will decide what kind of development assistance it needs. Outside parliament, small groups of the Communist Party and several pro-left youth organizations held rallies and raised anti-American slogans, officials said. Police fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the protesters, as it continued outside the Parliament for nearly 8 hours earlier in the day, post the ruling alliance’s agreement of tabling the US-aid Millennium Challenge Corporation-Nepal Compact in the Parliament.

Trade with India need of the hour, says Razak Dawood

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry, and Production, and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has said trade with India is the need of the hour and beneficial to both countries. Also, Russia wanted to do investment in the field of construction and lay pipelines in Pakistan, he said on Sun. About the exports to Afghanistan, the advisor said his ministry had increased the number of exporting items to Afghanistan (in Pakistan rupee) to 17. “Still various businessmen are contacting me to include their articles/items in this list as they also want to export their goods to Afghanistan in Pak rupee,” he claimed. Talking about the trade relations with Russia, Dawood said Pakistan’s exports to Russia and the countries bordering it (central Asia) and others required immediate attention and growth. As for exports, he said the textile exports would reach Rs 21 billion target in FY 2021-22 ending on June 30. The next year’s textile exports target is Rs27 billion. But the country should diversify its exports since its products range is squeezed. He admitted skyrocketing prices and their adverse impact on the common people.

Pakistan: JI workers protest against non-implementation of Gwadar agreement

ANI-Pakistan’s Islamist political party Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Sun staged a demonstration in front of the Quetta Press Club against the non-implementation of an agreement signed by the Imran Khan government with leaders of ‘Gwadar Ko Haq Do’ movement, local media reported. Hundreds of workers and supporters of JI participated in the sit-in carrying party flags, placards, and banners inscribed with their demands, marched on various roads, and chanted slogans against the federal and provincial governments, the Dawn newspaper reported. The JI workers warned against the violation of the agreement signed in Gwadar.

Gen Zia’s spy chief among those named in Credit Suisse leak

ONE of Gen Ziaul Haq’s closest aides and the man largely credited with establishing the mujahideen network to counter Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan is one of the thousands of figures from around the world who have been exposed in a massive leak of secret banking data from a leading Swiss bank.

3 militants were killed in the exchange of fire with security forces in Balochistan

Three militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Tully area of Sibi district in Balochistan. Acting on a tip-off, the security forces and intelligence agencies conducted a joint operation in Sibi, following which, a fierce exchange of fire took place between the forces and the militants, reported Samaa TV citing security sources. A cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the possession of killed militants, according to the sources cited by the media outlet. In a separate operation, five militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Pakistan’s North Waziristan on Sun.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been marred with controversy since the announcement of the USD 46 billion projects in 2015. The CPEC project would link Pakistan’s southern Gwadar port in Balochistan on the Arabian Sea to China’s western Xinjiang region. It also includes plans to create road, rail, and oil pipeline links to improve connectivity between China and the Middle East. Since the start of CPEC, it has prompted demonstrations, claiming that projects will not benefit Balochistan while other provinces are enjoying the fruits of the mega project. The protest which started in Nov last year came to a halt in Dec after the govt agreed to the demands of the people protesting the illegal fishing of trawlers in Gwadar.

Saudi crown prince likely to visit Pakistan in March

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is likely to visit Pakistan in Mar local media reported citing official sources. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to finalize the dates for the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, which is likely to take place in March, The Express Tribune reported. “…. The two sides were in touch with each other and barring an exception, it is likely the Saudi de facto ruler will visit Pakistan which would be his second visit in 3 years,” the media. Pakistan is also set to host the regular conference of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers on Mar 22. It is expected that foreign ministers of OIC would also be invited to witness the Pakistan Day parade.

Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be protected: China

SCMP-Warning against Nato’s eastward expansion Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of every country must be safeguarded, and “Ukraine is no exception,” while he was speaking the 58^th Munich Security Conference via video link on Sat in the Munich Security Conference that those who question China’s position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity are misleading. He does, however, warn against further Nato expansion, reflecting a position shared recently in Beijing by Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

How does converting a Chinese navy ship into a coastguard vessel aid Beijing’s maritime mission?

SCMP-Converting naval corvettes into China Coast Guard ships could boost the power of the enforcement agency and tackle sensitive maritime issues more flexibly, according to a Chinese journal. “China’s maritime law enforcement environment has become increasingly serious as foreign countries led by the United States complicated issues regarding the Diaoyu Islands and sensitive South China Sea islands,” said an article published this month in the latest edition of the Chinese magazine Naval and Merchant Ships.

Electronics, chemicals, machinery set for zero-duty access under India-UAE trade pact

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is the first trade deal, signed by New Delhi and Abu Dhabi Fri will benefit Indian products worth about $26 billion, by removing the 5% import duty currently charged by UAE on these items.

The agreement, expected to come into effect in the first week of May, is projected to double bilateral trade to $100 billion from the current $50-60 billion, in the next 5 years, while eliminating tariffs on a range of products being exported by India and the UAE.

Agreement signed after the virtual summit between PM Narendra Modi and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of UAE armed forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan.

The agreement will not only enable Indian exporters to gain market access in the UAE but also provide wider access to the larger Arab and African regions.

Zero duty access on a range of items

Under the CEPA, which was negotiated in less than a year, UAE will be offering immediate duty elimination on over 80% of its tariff lines, corresponding to 90% of India’s exports in value terms.

• There will be zero duty imposed from the day the agreement comes into force, but its effect will be felt in a phased manner.
• Indian products that are set to benefit include gems and jewelry, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
• On the UAE side, products like metals, minerals, petrochemicals, petroleum products, and dates will stand to benefit.
• During a virtual summit had also announced a joint Food Security Corridor Initiative, by way of an MoU between the Indian Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and UAE logistics firm DP World & Al Dahra.

Indian pharmaceuticals, textiles, plastics to benefit

According to Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, the CEPA will help India’s labor-intensive sectors and a separate annex has been incorporated to facilitate the trade of Indian pharmaceutical products.

Citing an example of tariff reduction, Commerce Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said: “We’ve given tariff concessions to UAE on gold, and they have eliminated tariffs on jewelry”.

The UAE has also agreed to facilitate regulatory approval for Indian pharmaceuticals within 90 days, specifically those approved in developed countries like the US, the UK, the EU, Canada, and Australia.

Deal to add $8.9 billion to UAE GDP by 2030

From the UAE’s perspective, the deal is projected to add 1.7% or $8.9 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030, and boost exports by 1.5%, said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy UAE.

• He explained that the FTA is part of the UAE’s plans to recover from the pandemic.
• The UAE had earlier shown interest in investment in Jammu and Kashmir, through several MoUs for setting up infrastructure projects in the region.
• Most recently, the UAE-based LuLu Group agreed to invest Rs 200 crore in Jammu and Kashmir for a food processing and logistics hub in Srinagar.
• The CEPA also envisions greater collaboration between India and the UAE in the area of digital trade.
• The two nations have worked to establish a modern framework for digital commerce which covers data protection, digital consumer rights, digital signatures, digital identity, and secure data flow.
• Due to the ever-changing nature of digital trade, it will be a “nimble” part of the trade agreement that may be subject to change.

India, France agree on Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance

ANI – India and France have agreed on a Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance to contribute to scientific knowledge and ocean conservation and ensure that the ocean remains a global common, based on the rule of law, during the 3-day visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s 3-day visit to France.

The roadmap will encompass maritime trade, the naval industry, fisheries, marine technology, and scientific research, integrated coastal management, marine eco-tourism, inland waterways, and cooperation between competent administrations on civil maritime issues.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said that both nations plan to organize an annual bilateral dialogue on the blue economy and ocean governance.
• India and France underscored that fisheries are a vital economic sector and play a decisive role in food security and livelihood security, particularly for coastal populations.
• They also highlighted that demographic, economic, and societal factors have led to an increased global demand for marine products and growing stress on global fish stocks.
• According to the statement, India and France will make the blue economy a priority in the development of their economic exchanges.

Earlier today, Jaishankar held wide-ranging and productive talks in Paris with France Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and both sides discussed cooperation, the Ukraine situation, and Indo-Pacific.

He will attend the EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, amid China’s assertiveness in the region, on Feb 22, an initiative of the French Presidency of the European Council.

India warns nations against accepting China’s aid

China’s violation of agreements on not massing forces at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the reason why its relations with India are going through a difficult phase, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said while warning nations not to get sucked into a debt trap by accepting Chinese aid.

Jaishankar brushed aside a suggestion that India’s ties with the West had improved because of the differences with China, saying India’s relations with the West were “quite decent” even before June 2020 – when Indian and Chinese forces were involved in a brutal clash that left 20 Indian troops and at least four Chinese soldiers dead.

Jaishankar made the remarks while participating in a discussion on the theme “Regional order and security in the Indo-Pacific” at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

“It’s a problem we’re having with China. And the problem is this – that for 45 years, there was peace, there was stable border management, there were no military casualties on the border from 1975,” he said in response to a question on India’s troubled relations with China.

“So, obviously, relations with China right now are going through a very difficult phase,” he said, referring to the military standoff that began in May 2020.

Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, who was in the audience, raised the issue of his country requiring funds for infrastructure projects to meet the aspirations of the people, and China offering a “basket of money” and aggressive and affordable proposals while aid from other partners came with a lot of strings.

Jaishankar responded to Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen who asked his country to require funds for projects, and China offered a “basket of money”, by cautioning countries against getting caught in a debt trap while accepting China’s assistance, “international relations are competitive, every country will look for opportunities and see what it can do but while doing so, it’s in their interest to be prudent about what they’re getting into,” he said.

Jaishankar met his German counterpart, holds talks on bilateral and global issues

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who has arrived in Germany on Fri took part in the Munich Security Conference, met with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and held a wide range of discussions covering bilateral and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, the developments surrounding Ukraine, and the situation in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar also met his Iranian counterpart H. Amirabdollahian and held productive discussions on bilateral economic cooperation, Afghanistan, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.

• The MSC is expected to extensively deliberate on the escalating tension between the NATO countries and Russia over Ukraine.
• “Covered Afghanistan, Indo Pacific, and Ukraine. Looking forward to building further on today’s meeting,” he said.

At MSC, he has participated in a panel discussion on the Indo-Pacific and will also lead discussions at an ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ event, being hosted by the Indian consulate in Munich and the Observer Research Foundation.

He said “Relations with China going through a difficult stage”, says EAM Jaishankar at Munich Security conference; Highlights,” Quad has a value in itself”

Jaishankar also held a series of talks with foreign ministers and other senior delegates on the sidelines of the MSC.

The JCPOA is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US; + Germany) together with the EU.

• The future of the deal was called into question after the United States’ unilateral pull out in May 2018.
• He also met Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar.
• During his meeting with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues.
• Jaishankar also met the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and they agreed to step up preparations for the Strategic Partnership Council meeting.
• In his meeting with Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani, Jaishankar appreciated his perspectives on the regional situation.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China to impose sanctions on US firms for Taiwan arms deal

ANI – In retaliation to US arms sales to Taiwan, China has decided to impose sanctions on American defense companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said a briefing on Mon, as quoted by the state media tabloid Global Times China, would continue to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty.

The US earlier this month had approved a possible USD 100 million sales of equipment and services to Taiwan to “sustain” and “improve” the Patriot missile defense system used by the self-governing island.

• The announcement drew a reaction from China and it advised the US against the arms deal.
• China had warned that it would take necessary actions to protect its sovereignty.
• After the US approved the arms sales to Taiwan, Taipei thanked Washington for taking concrete actions to meet its security commitments stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act and the 6 Assurances.
• This is the second weapons sale since President Biden took office and the first arms deal this year.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to visit Taiwan next week

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who riled China while in the office with his criticism of it and attacks on its ruling Communist Party, will visit Taiwan next week and meet President Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwan govt said on Mon.

• Pompeo served under then-President Donald Trump from 2018 until the end of the administration in Jan last year.
• Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Pompeo and his wife would visit the Chinese-claimed island from Mar 3-5, and also meet Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and give a speech at a think-tank.

His visit shows the bipartisan “rock-solid” U.S. support for Taiwan and the close Taiwan-U.S. friendship, it added. Pompeo particularly angered Beijing with his attacks on the Communist Party.

Gen Zia’s spy chief among those named in Credit Suisse leak

DAWN-Dubbed the ‘Suisse secrets’, this massive trove was provided to Süddeutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper, by a whistle-blower and claims to have exposed the secret wealth of clients notorious for drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.

According to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) — a network of journalists from around the world that sifted through the data — accounts identified as potentially problematic held over $8 billion in assets.

• The revelations indicate failures of due diligence by the bank in violation of commitments made to authorities to disown shady clients.
• The data covers accounts that were open from the 1940s until well into the 2010s but not the bank’s current operations.
• Hundreds of ‘problematic’ accounts said to hold around $8bn in corruption proceeds and more
• According to the New York Times, senior intelligence officials and their offspring from several countries that cooperated with the US also had money stashed at Credit Suisse.

“As the head of the Pakistani intelligence agency, Gen Akhtar Abdur Rahman Khan helped funnel billions of dollars in cash and other aid from the US and other countries to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan to support their fight against the Soviet Union,” the NYT.

NYT- an account was opened in the name of 3 of General Akhtar’s sons in 1985, even though the general never faced charges of stealing aid money.

Years later, the paper said, “the account would grow to hold $3.7 million, the leaked records show.”

An OCCRP report was more specific: it claimed that the Saudi Arabian and US funding for mujahideen fighters battling Russia’s presence in Afghanistan would go to the CIA’s Swiss bank account.

• OCCRP’s report stated that one of the two Akhtar family accounts at Credit Suisse — held jointly by three of Akhtar’s sons — was opened on Jul 1, 1985.
• That same year, US President Ronald Reagan would raise concerns about where the money intended for the mujahideen was going.
• By 2003, this account was worth at least 5 million Swiss francs ($3.7 million at the time).
• A second account, opened in Jan 1986 in Akbar’s name alone, was worth more than 9 million Swiss francs by Nov 2010 ($9.2 million at the time).”
• However, one of Gen Khan’s sons told the project’s representative this information was “not correct” and “conjectural”.
• The leak follows the so-called Panama Papers in 2016, the Paradise Papers in 2017, and the Pandora Papers last year.

The list of those named in the leaks includes King Abdullah II of Jordan and the two sons of the former Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak and Venezuelan officials ensnared in a long-running corruption scandal.

• The data also features a Hong Kong stock trader once sent to jail on bribery charges, a tycoon who ordered the murder of his Lebanese lover, a Filipino human trafficker, and dishonest politicians from Egypt to Ukraine.
• One Vatican-owned account was used to spend 350 million dollars in an allegedly fraudulent scheme in London which is the focus of a criminal trial of several defendants, including a cardinal.
• According to the OCCRP, the data also reveals that 15 intelligence figures from around the world, or their close family members, have held accounts at Credit Suisse.

Credit Suisse – Switzerland’s stringent secrecy laws do not allow it to comment on accusations about individual clients, but in a statement it strongly rejected “allegations and inferences about the bank’s purported business practices”, arguing that the matters uncovered by reporters are based on “selective information taken out of context, resulting in tendentious interpretations of the bank’s business conduct.”

Further revelations are expected in the days to come as more and more of the data become public.